Brooklyn Congregations Open Doors to Community During New York Landmarks Conservancy's "Sacred Sites Open House Weekend"

During The New York Landmarks Conservancy’s Sacred Sites Open House Weekend (May 21 & 22, 2016), New York’s world-class houses of worship offer this experience at your doorstep.

The Landmarks Conservancy’s sixth annual “Sacred Sites Open House Weekend” is when religious institutions throughout New York open their doors to the public, giving visitors a glimpse inside many of New York’s remarkable churches and synagogues and an opportunity to view the artistic treasures of many faiths, styles, and periods. Over 40 sites in New York City and over 120 statewide will participate in the weekend. Congregations will also showcase the cultural and social service programs they provide the wider community with special tours, concerts, food fairs and other events.

“Many of New York’s magnificent houses of worship have served generations and continue to anchor communities and all too often, they are seen only by their members,” said Peg Breen, President of The New York Landmarks Conservancy. “The Sacred Sites Open House Weekend allows everyone to enjoy the architecture, art, and history of these remarkable structures.”

This year’s Open House weekend celebrates the 30th Anniversary of the Landmarks Conservancy’s Sacred Sites program, the only statewide program in the country providing financial and technical assistance for the restoration of culturally significant religious properties. Since 1986, the program has awarded 1,350 grants totaling over $9.3 million to more than 750 congregations regardless of denomination throughout New York State.

Brooklyn congregations participating in the Open House Weekend to date include:

· St. Charles Borromeo Church: 19 Sidney Place, Brooklyn Heights, May 21, 12:00-3:00pm & May 22, 12:30-3:00pm

· Plymouth Church: 75 Hicks Street, Brooklyn Heights, May 21, 10:00am – 2:00pm

· East Midwood Jewish Center: 1625 Ocean Avenue, Midwood, May 22, 2:00-5:00pm

· St. Joseph’s Co-Cathedral: 856 Pacific Street, Prospect Heights, May 21, 10:00am - 5:30pm & May 22, 1:45-5:30pm

· Grace Church Brooklyn Heights: 254 Hicks Street, Brooklyn Heights, May 22, 1:00-4:00pm. Special pre-booked tour: Sunday, May 22, 2:00-3:00pm.

· Brown Memorial Baptist Church: 484 Washington Avenue, Clinton Hill and Fort Greene, May 21, 10:00am – 2:00pm

· Our Lady of Lebanon Catholic Maronite Cathedral: 113 Remsen Street, Brooklyn Heights, May 21, 12:30-5:00pm & May 22, 12:30-5:00pm

· St. Agnes Church of the Parish of Saint Paul and Saint Agnes: 433 Sackett Street, Gowanus, May 21, 12:00-4:00pm & May 22, 2:00-5:00pm

· St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church: 157 Montague Street, Brooklyn Heights, May 21, 12:00-3:00pm & May 22, 12:00-3:00pm

· First Unitarian Congregational Society, Brooklyn: 116 Pierrepont Street, Brooklyn Heights, May 21, 10:00am – 4:00pm

· Brooklyn Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends: 110 Schermerhorn Street, Boerum Hill and Brooklyn Heights, May 21, 10:00am - 3:00pm & May 22, 10:00am – 3:00pm

For more information and a complete list of sacred sites participating in the Landmarks Conservancy’s Open House Weekend, visit www.nylandmarks.org.

Sponsors of Sacred Sites Open House Weekend include:

Acheson Doyle Partners, AIA NY Historic Buildings Committee, East Village Community Coalition, EverGreene Architectural Arts, Explore Buffalo, Faith & Form, Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts, Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, Historic Albany Foundation, Historic Districts Council, Historic Ithaca, Landmark West! Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy, Lower East Side Preservation Initiative, Landmark Society of Western New York, OTSEGO 2000, Preservation Association of Central New York, Preservation Association of the Southern Tier, Preservation Buffalo Niagara, and Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities.

The New York Landmarks Conservancy has led the effort to preserve and protect New York’s architectural legacy for over 40 years. Since its founding, the Conservancy has loaned and granted more than $40 million, which has leveraged more than $1 billion in 1,550 restoration projects throughout the State, revitalizing communities, providing economic stimulus, and supporting local jobs. The Conservancy has also offered countless hours of pro bono technical advice to building owners, both nonprofit organizations and individuals. The Conservancy’s work has saved more than a thousand buildings across the City and State, protecting New York’s distinctive architectural heritage for residents and visitors alike today, and for future generations. For more information, please visit www.nylandmarks.org.

Photo courtesy of The New York Landmarks Conservancy